Friday, February 24, 2006

Illustration Friday: Tea



My submission to Illustration Friday for the theme Tea is Tea House. This illustration comes from my 2001 HomeMade calendar for the month of August. You know, Tea House of the August moon? ( for you younguns that was a play and a movie starring Glenn Ford).I realized all these months I have been remiss in telling you which month these illos were created for and the quote that goes with the picture. I spent years coming up with ideas, creating the 65 paintings, making them fit with particular months and collecting quotes my whole life about houses and homes. So now you know, it is not just a passion but an obsession...

The quote: "Things taste better in small houses" - Queen Victoria

copyright 2000

62 comments:

Amy Zaleski said...

This is so adorable and romantic, Val! Very effective silhouettes against such lively colors.

Teri said...

Val, it's GORGEOUS!!! The colors, the everything.Just love it!!

Jaimie said...

Beautiful as always. I love that the teapot house is on a bridge. I'm sure you've said, but what media do you use?

Chris Butts said...

Makes you to just "be there".

Nice!

valerie walsh said...

I airbrush and hand paint useing Liquitex acrylics on discontinued Canson Airbrush paper. I do my other paintings on gessoed masonite.

Geninne said...

Love it! Really love your work...

carla said...

This is so dreamy and romantic! I just love how the teapot is a pagoda, and i love the sihouetted figures. The colors are like the last bits of sunset.
Beauty:>>>>

CRISTOSOVA said...

Hihi, I sensed that with the obsession :) I can see steam coming out of the tea pot house, like it is alive and breathing, a very careful quiet breath to neither disturb the sleepy landscape nor the deep lover´s look into each other´s eyes. Tranquility, harmony, beautiful...

trowbridge chronicles said...

Bright inviting colors and a dreamy atmosphere make me want to join them for tea.

Anonymous said...

This is truly magical. It has a warm oriental touch to it and the colors are fabulous. They are so bright and create a really dreamy atmosphere. Maybe the sort of thing you'd dream of while having a nice spicy tea.

Brilliant illustration.

Janet said...

When I saw the topic, I thought of you right away, and wondered about your tea house.Very nice, Val!...looks like an inviting place to be!

Doodlestreet said...

Ahhh..very nice. Kinda like the places people go eat down there at disneyland when you go thru the pirates of the caribbean! Great work!

I got 'nuttin' this week....

Baskerville Hound said...

I always love your stuff Val! There is something beautiful about the light you have captured in this that i just cannot describe-perhaps an aura? [or is that a bit too new age sounding?!]
Gorgeous idea and interpretation as always :)

Unknown said...

Lovely tea house!! Very creative!

isay said...

what more can i say? amazing you and really great illo.

Mick said...

Brilliant colors and who'd a thunk it? A tea house on a bridge in the shape of a teapot! Love it, Val.

TheTart said...

OK I just must visit everyone of your darling cozy homes. This one is so great. Just so much to love here.

Smooch,
The Tart

Anonymous said...

Lovely romantic atmosphere!

Joy Eliz said...

This is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Lovely piece with great colours. That must be a nice calendar.

http://www.choble.com

The Unknown said...

This is really wonderful. Just looking at it makes me smile. Great work. Hooray for obsessions!
love

gudbrandsdottir said...

Very nice and romantic - and great colours!

Anonymous said...

Artistic, romantic, original. An exquisite interpretation.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and that's one of my favorite movies too.

AscenderRisesAbove said...

Another colorful detailed illustration. Such dedication!

Ginger*:) said...

How lovely! And the quote is so perfect. I am coming for tea....shall I wear a hat?

Regina said...

Oh! I think this is one of my favorites!!! Enchanting and romantic!!

HARDWAX said...

I know i've said it before, but, your original and beautiful works, never cease to amaze, this illustration/calendar entry, is just so appealing!!! I always want to visit your creations.

kelly rae said...

i would love to have a cup of tea in your dreamy tea house! how magical.

Unknown said...

Very nice. I like the heavy color saturation.

Unknown said...

Val it really shows that you have put a lot of time, research, effort and tons of talent into your work.
bravo!!

Anonymous said...

I like much what you do.You have much imagination and of creativity.It's a pleasure of looking at.Well done.
With soon.

Katili said...

This is beautiful , so rich colours and a great idea that teapot house. Great work.

Anonymous said...

hi girl! your illos are fantastic. just fabulous colours and filled with light and happiness. love them!
and you are precious!
love,
anne

TXArtcGal said...

Love the concept...the vibrant colors (as usual)...and, that little boat under the bridge! Your pieces always are fantastic!

RHoward454 said...

This is beautiful. Your work always looks so warm and inviting.

Twisselman said...

Didn't get 'round to visit your blog last week. My bad. So I can comment on two at the same time. Gotta say I was expecting a tea house when I clicked in. And this is a wonderful one. As always, your colors are very rich.
The 'singing' fiddle (excuse me, violin) house I especially like. Again the super colors... this time against those muted greens. The notes of the entryway/walkway... and the notes lyrically wafting away in the smoke. Also, thanks for sharing the article from a few years back. Great stuff.

andrea said...

I thought I'd commented on this one already! Oops. I cannot believe how prolific you have been in your career, Val. There must be *ONE* stinker in the bunch somewhere! So far I haven't seen it.

valerie walsh said...

oh there are some stinkers all right. Sometimes I have stretched the boundaries of what should or could be a house!

Wilnara said...

First Val I'm sorry I missed last weeks- Song. Your violin house was absolutely beautiful with the musical notes flowing through the air like steam. This Tea house is also gorgeous. I love the vibrancy of the colors and the sunset. The couple looks so cozy.

Anonymous said...

ouh!!...precious tea-time!! would love to be there.

merlinprincesse said...

Your illos never cease to amaze moi, Val... :o)

Anonymous said...

this is beatiful as usual...it reminds me of China! thanx for your comment and sorry for not beeing reachable...I got some serious trouble w' the server...

Lee said...

love it val and love that you spent the time putting all the house and home pics and quotes together!

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful and romantic looking. Nice job.
a.

Caroline said...

I agree that it is wonderfully romantic.

Deb said...

Lovely illustration --but can we expect anything less? :)
I've so enjoyed reading your blog and viewing your work! You're an inspiration!
Keep Creating!

ottoblotto said...

Gorgeous! Such rich colors!

Powpourri said...

Beautiful colors! Love the softness of the piece! Brandi

Karlishhh said...

is lovely , awasome is like the perfect house ¡¡¡ congratulations

Suzan said...

I love this! The colors are great!

Collin said...

Oooooo! Pretty! I really like this one. As far as obsessions go, there are far worse.

steve said...

Thouroughly enchanting !
:-)

stevePoisonPencil

Anonymous said...

beautiful illustration, love the tea house and romantic silhouettes! And the colours are gorgeous.

Dana S. Whitney said...

What fun! Zesty. No wonder your calendars are such a big project... 65 images? Here in Texas, years only have 12 months... or 52 weeks.... let's see 365 days divided by 65....
I always loved the Tea House at Descanso Gardens... my uncle did the design. He wasn't Japanese... just loved the culture.

Mia Charro said...

Wow, it´s inspired me so much tranquility and peace... enchanting!!

modroom said...

I'd like to take my tea in the purple hills in the background if I can get a lift from that boat.

roz said...

oh how I would love to drink a cup of tea THERE! fabulous!

valerie walsh said...

Sultry is so right! I made 13 pix each year for five years worth of calendars. The 13th picture is the cover. I painted the same cover for each year but I changed the colours.

coffee81 said...

What I like most about this piece is the happy and vibrant colours, lightning background. It gives you the happy mood!

Zórdís said...

Lots tranquility and romance. Nice obsession you have and you do so well with it. Nice and admiring work.

RedT0pMedusa said...

but a good obsession